Bhubaneswar: Panchayati Raj Minister, Rabi Narayan Naik, announced on Sunday that the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act is set to be implemented in the state soon.
On CM Majhi’s direction, the bill concerning the PESA Act would be introduced in the upcoming assembly session and its initial implementation will be overseen by the Panchayati Raj department, said the Minister.
He noted that the PESA Act is already in effect in all states except Odisha and Jharkhand. The enactment of the PESA Act will ensure that beneficiaries from the scheduled tribes receive additional benefits and protection.
The Panchayati Raj Department is committed to taking all necessary measures in this matter.
Minister Naik added that the BJP government is dedicated to the advancement of tribal communities. Constituencies will be grouped together as clusters and plans will be executed in those clusters for targeted development of individuals and families.
The minister further added the tribal population in the country is diminishing, which is a grave concern. It is crucial to ensure that no tribal individual in the state is compelled to change their religion. He emphasized that the tribal society embodies a strong sense of nationalism.
